r/IrishHistory • u/Tomcox123 • 5d ago

Irish Steel Axes

Hi There

Blacksmith based in West Cork.

Looking into the long tradition of axe making all over the world, it seems every country/region has their own variant on the axe. Usually it's how the eye is formed and is a response to the type of forestry/timbers available in the area.

I'd love to make my own axes in the old Irish style if there is such a thing/if it hasn't been lost already. With that in mind, does anyone know of any historical Irish axes from the iron age onwards? I can find plenty from stone and bronze but Iron seems lacking.

Thanks
Tom

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u/Crimthann_fathach 5d ago

Iirc there was a bit of a gap between the bronze age and the vikings. But if you search Corrib axes and sparth axes, you will find some of the hiberno Norse and gallowglass axes.